REMEDIES USEFUL IN TUMOURS OF THE BREAST.
Had I the requisite leisure I could obtain from the medical literature of the world a mass of remedies that have been found useful in the cure of tumours in the various parts of the body; but there is this peculiarity about most of the cases of tumour published as cured by medicinal means, that they are for the most part quasi-accidental, or, at any rate, extremely isolated; and one can read them ever so often, and any number of them, and still, when a case of tumour comes up for treatment, one finds that they have not given any particular clue to guide one.
I have already stated the way in which I set about curing tumours of the breast; and as I have mentioned under each case most of the remedies used, I need not refer to those medicines here, but shortly to the following: Acidum aceticum has a certain reputation for cancerous and benign tumours. Dr. J. C. Peters maintains that it will dissolve the “cancer cell”. I have used it with advantage in cancer, but principally as an external irritant, notably in hepatic and pyloric indurations.
Aconitum napellus. The use of Aconite in tumours of the breast is by no means to be despised, as it commands congestion to some extent, which is a great help. Of course it has no direct or specific action.
Apis mel. Of this remedy Dr. Gilchrist Tumours: their Etiology and Curability. By J. S. Gilchrist, M.D. Detroit, Michigan. No Date. (a very high authority) says:.
“Apis mel. I have frequently benefited, if not cured, various malignant and semi-malignant growths with the following symptoms: Small ulcers with a grey slough, deep, and running into one another; pain, burning, itching or stinging; sharp stinging pain in the ulcer or tumour; pus is of a light yellow colour, and scanty; erysipelatous inflammation of the surrounding skin; dark purple colour of old scars; thirst is either absent or increased for small quantities.
“Worse in the morning; also from warmth?.
“Better from cold water and pressure. Left side.
“Has been used in many varieties of tumour, perhaps with a special adaptability to cystic formations. I have used it in cases of cancerous with good results a number of times. You will find a case of ovarian tumour reported cured by this agent in the North American Jour. of Hom., vol. xxi., p. 553, by Dr. Piersons; also one by Dr. P. H. Hale, in Raues An. Recorder., 1872, p. 173. In the latter case the first dilution was used, in the other the high. Dr. Garnsey, of Batavia, Ill., reports a case cured, in which he used Apis and Apocyn. can. in alternation (Am. Hom. Obs., vol. iv., p. 251). In Helmuths Surgery, p. 1,181, a case is reported cured with the same remedy in alternation with Arsenic, reported by Dr. Craig. These last two cases are not as valuable as they might be, on account of the alternation of the remedies.”.
Apocyanum cannabium is a solvent unquestionably. I have thus cured a case of adenoma with it, used in the form of an ointment. Its action seems, in such cases, to be powerfully solvent.
Arnica montana. The great sphere of Arnica is trauma and haematoma. Dr. Lee cured a case of “movable” tumour of the orbit with it.
Argentum nitrum is sometimes useful in cutaneous cysts, and notably in the hydraemic.
Arsenicum is a classic remedy for bleeding cancer, and many cases cured or ameliorated by it have been published. It has an equally great reputation for the cure of lupus.
Arsenicum iodatum has cured cancer of the breast, and also of the womb.
Arsenicum metallicum is useful in mammary indurations, particularly after Mercury has been used.
Aurum muriaticum natronatum, taken by itself, is probably the best remedy for uterine tumours that we have.
Barium has a reputation for lipomata; the carbonate is used, and also the iodide and the muriate.
Belladonna is used by myself merely for its congestive effects, and, of course, in refracted dose it helps and relieves.
Bellis perennis. A very grand remedy, but, being only a common weed, is unknown or condemned and despised. It was ever thus. I have already illustrated its use in tumours of the breast.
Bryonia alba cured a case of fibroid tumour in the hands of Dr. C. Wesselhoeft. In my judgement, it is an important tumour medicine by reason of its demonstrated effects in arthritic states, and in circum-oophoritic peritonitis; and where the peritoneum is probably involved in the ovarian tumours, it will greatly relieve. The following note on lime is from Gilchrist:.
Calcarea carb. Tumours occurring in the characteristic Calcarea individual. Tendency to boils; to take cold easily; deficient animal heat; cold feet; perspiration of the feet and head particularly; pus is copious, putrid, yellowish, or white like milk; similar to Baryt. carb., excepting that the subjects are younger. Stapf (Archives, vol. iii.) reports a case of encephaloma of the eye, which was cured after commencing the process with Calc. There is much doubt existing as to the correctness of the diagnosis.
Dr. Sumner (N. Y. State Hom. Med. Soc. Trans., vol. ix.) reports a case of ovarian tumour cured by this remedy. Prof. Beebe (Worlds Convention, 1876) reports a case from Helmuth of sebaceous cyst cured; Dr. Alvarez (Med. Invest., vol. iv., p. 89) a case of lipoma; Prof. Beebe (loc. cit.) a case of fibrous tumour, in alternation with Coni, however, taken from Helmuth. I can report one case of uterine fibroid cured. A number of polypi existed; the large ones were expelled, and the smaller disappeared by absorption. Nasal and uterine polypi have been cured so frequently that no citation of cases is necessary.
Calcarea phos. The indications are similar to those under the carbonate. Perhaps there is a greater tendency to deficient ossification in the case of this remedy. I have thought that the Carbonica is of special value in cases of pedunculated fibroids; the Phosphate when sessile.
Cundurango. The indications for this powerful drug have been already given.
Colocynthis. Gilchrist and Carroll Dunham have each recorded a case of ovarian cyst cured by this remedy. Sharp abdominal pains lead to its choice.
Conium maculatum. I have cured one case of tumour with this old favourite of Stoerks, and it also has done me very good service in cancer of the tongue.
Ferrum. In the cachexia I have found Ferrum aceticum in small material dose of great benefit; in fact, I have often interrupted the more constitutional treatment for a little intercurrent course of iron, and with much advantage. Where there is plethora, of course a higher dilution must be used. I like Schusslers phosphate of iron. And the picrate, by reason of its cephalic, hepatic, haemic, and local actions, is a grand remedy.
Galium ap. Drs. Bailey and Clifton have had brilliant results with this remedy in cancer of the tongue, particularly the latter, who has probably cured as many tumours by medicines as any living man.
Galium was used in combination with glycerine, the indication was evidently “Old Herbal”.
Graphites has a well-merited reputation for wens and herpes and tumours in the herpetic.
Hydrastis canadensis. The late Dr. Bayes had quite a reputation for tumours, and he set great store by its use.
Poor Bayes, in Brit. Jour. of Hom., once published a list of cases see p. 110 treated with Hydrastis canadensis:.
I, too, have used it a good deal and fully endorse Dr. Bayes views. Dr. Blake cured a case of epithelioma and also one of scirrhus with Hydrastis.
Iodine is not a favourite of mine, indeed, I hardly know how to use it, as nearly everyone I see with a tumour has already had it in some form or other. However, I have used it in tumours of the pancreas with striking effect. (See Rademacher on this remedy in regard to this organ).
Kali chloratum is a good remedy for mammary tumour, that is little more than a mastitis.
Lappa major. I once knew a “Lady Bountiful” who used to cure poor people of swellings with a tea made of the roots of this plant. Her indication was the blood.
Kali brom. cured a case of ovarian tumour in the hands of the late Dr. Black.
Kali iod. has been used with advantage in cases of supposed epithelioma. So has Kreosotum.
Lapis alb. The late Dr. von Grauvogl introduced this Urkalkgneiss for occult cancer, glandular tumours, and bronchocele. He was led to use it by having observed the tumorifacient effect of the water containing it. Von Grauvogl sent me a portion to try some years before his death, with a very kind letter which I have preserved and still cherish.
Phosphorus has helped me in mammary tumours when given for menorrhagia, but I have generally used it in the bleeding stage in alternation with Carbo animalis.
Phytolacca dec. is of undoubted value in mammary tumours, but requires to be given in material doses. In refracted dose I have found benefit from it in mammary atrophy; in one case, the increase in the size of the breasts was notable.
Platina and Pulsatilla are remedies to be remembered in mammary tumours, and also Silicea, Acidum fluoricum, Mercurius, and many others.
I have myself obtained the greatest help from theories of drug action, diatheses, and specificity of seat as well as of action; and medicines that are known as mere organ-remedies will often cure its organ of the disease that caused the tumour, and then the tumour atrophies.
Burnett was one of the first to speak about vaccination triggering illness. This was discussed in his book, Vaccinosis, published in 1884. He introduced the remedy Bacillinum. He authored twenty books, including the much loved "Fifty Reason for Being a Homeopath." He was the editor of The Homoeopathic World.